State Rep. Clint Owlett | Pennsylvania 68th Legislative District
State Rep. Clint Owlett | Pennsylvania 68th Legislative District
In response to the severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Debby, Representative Clint Owlett has put forward two legislative proposals designed to enhance stream maintenance and reduce flood risks in Pennsylvania. The measures seek to address what Owlett describes as "red tape and limited resources" that hinder effective creek and stream management.
"In the weeks since extraordinary flooding hit many communities in Tioga County and other nearby counties, the question I get over and over again is what are we going to do to stop this from happening again," Owlett stated. He emphasized the need for change to protect communities from future floods.
The first proposal, House Bill 2602, mandates the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to expand emergency permit work areas for stream clearing activities. Currently, permits allow clearing within 50 feet of a bridge. The bill proposes extending this area to 250 feet during declared emergencies at the county level.
The second proposal, House Bill 2603, addresses funding constraints by directing lease and royalty payments from oil and gas production under non-state forest streambeds into restricted accounts for stream maintenance. "While the Commonwealth puts up plenty of red tape when it comes to maintaining our creeks and streams, they do very little of the work themselves," Owlett remarked. He argued that if the state profits from these resources without maintaining waterways, those funds should support local maintenance efforts.
Under this legislation, funds collected by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) would be allocated to counties where leases are located for exclusive use in stream maintenance projects. Additionally, DCNR would be required to retroactively allocate funds collected since 2014 into these accounts.
Owlett also plans to reintroduce a bill allowing local governments extended permits for ongoing stream maintenance without needing pre-approval for each project.
"My region has experienced extreme flooding twice in the last three years," said Owlett. He highlighted both financial and emotional impacts on residents and emphasized preventing future occurrences.
Representative Clint Owlett
68th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Patricia Hippler
717.772.9846
phippler@pahousegop.com
RepOwlett.com / Facebook.com/RepOwlett
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